BACK-BLOCKS TRAGEDY

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1920, Page 5

BACK-BLOCKS TRAGEDY

HEARING OF MURDER CHARGE., SECOND COUNT OP ATTEMPTED MUBDDBi THE SHOOTING DESCRIBED. By Telwapli.—Press Association? Tftumaranui, Last Night. W. Anderson was brought before Mr Burton, S.M., to-day charged with th» murder of Frank Telfer, and the at tempted murder of Jas. Loft, of Toldrima. Mr. Gillies, Crown Prosecutor was present, and the accused was dft fended by Mr. George Findlay, T* Kuiti.

James Loft gave evidence that when the second shot was fired outside he recognised the accused in tho dark by the illumination of the riflo shot. When the accused first raised his rifle at tin window ho was four feet away, and therefore it was impossible for the d»> ceased Telfer to grasp the rifle. Tin bullet which killed Telfer was a soft> nosed 303. There was 110 ill-feeling between witness and accused. Wltftesi had never "doped" acoused, and tii«t was no grievance between them aboni whisky. Witness never frightened M« eused when he was riding over a bridfa by night. Accused said he was in lot* with witness' maid, and witness said he had a complaint to make, but nothing more was said. Accused several timet threatened to "do in'' the HarlanA brothers, but he said he was afraid of the rope. His grievance with the Haf- ■ lands was that he alleged they "doped" him in the arm from a two-pronged instrument.

Herbert Loft corroborated hit brother's evidence. He also aaid fa* was not sure if Tblfer grasped the rifle, but lie did not think so. Dr. Oheesman, of Okura, deponed that the bullet passed through Tetter's right lung and liver. The body was bladfr , ened at the point of entranoe of till bullet.

Margaret Loft, wife of James Loft, corroborated her husband's evidence. Winnie Hefferman, Loft's domestl# servant,, gate evidence that Whett Anderson came he said: "All the polio* in Tautoanmui are after me, but f will get plenty of them before they get W#/ 1 He was given food, tobacco, and ta overcoat. Before the shooting ha said: "Two of you have to pasß out to-night, but now will do." Jim Loft told him not to be silly. Telfer, who was sitting on a couch, walked over beside the window, and said: "The rifle is filled up With clay, Bill." Anderson , said: "That is all right." Telfer said: "Have you got the pills for it?" Anderaon said: "I have everything." Aa« derson then said: "Clear the room." Witness then stepped into the men'* room and did not see the rifle. Jim Loft ran into her room, and that was j all she saw of him. She saw Telfer put out ono hand, but could not Bay what he did. She then saw Telfer fall. The last she saw of Morris he was going into a passage, and Herbert Loft hurried into the scullery. Witness heard a shot fired, but did not see the rifle go off. She heard another shot fired eutsido a few minutes later. About two'months' ago accused walked into witness' "bedroom at 4.30 in the morning, and he tried to awake Jier. .She "Who's there?" and he replied: "Your next door neighbour" C V told him to get out, and after n few moments' hesitation he went mil Witness complained to Mr?. Loft.

Alfred George Loft pave evidence regarding eleven bottles of whisky which on October UtU Aiidcr»«n to the farm, saying he stole it frail Andy Sayevfl, Ohura, Witness got f.'m to share the cost with him and p<iv for Hie whisky. Witness, accused. 'and three others "out; out" seven baffle* in two days. Witness deducted accusal'* share of the cost from his wages, and paid him £SB in cash.

At this stage the hearing wn3 ad' journed till to-morrow.